Sweeteners On Alert: Popular Substance Linked To Brain Damage And Precocious Puberty
- Lidi Garcia
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Although sweeteners such as erythritol, sucralose, and aspartame are seen as "healthier" alternatives to sugar, recent studies show that they can pose health risks. Erythritol, for example, can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by damaging blood vessels and causing more clots. In children, certain sweeteners are linked to early puberty, especially in those with a genetic predisposition. In other words, even without calories, these sweeteners can have negative effects on the body and development, so consumption should be done with caution.
In recent years, artificial sweeteners have become popular as alternatives to sugar, especially among people seeking to control weight, blood sugar, or reduce calories.
Substances such as erythritol, sucralose, and aspartame are present in a wide variety of products, from diet drinks to healthy desserts, and are often considered safe because they do not raise blood sugar levels. However, recent scientific evidence has raised significant concerns about the potential negative long-term health effects of these sweeteners.
Erythritol, for example, is a very low-calorie sweetener, about 60% to 80% as sweet as regular sugar. It is naturally found in small amounts in fruits and fermented foods, but its industrial use is much higher.
Precisely because of its minimal impact on glucose and insulin, it is widely recommended for people with diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome. However, recent studies indicate that high erythritol consumption may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.
A study conducted by Witkowski and colleagues revealed that higher blood levels of erythritol were linked to a higher incidence of heart attacks and strokes (CVAs), both fatal and non-fatal.
Consuming a typical amount of erythritol, such as that found in an artificially sweetened beverage, was enough to cause increased reactivity of platelets, blood cells that aid in clotting, increasing the risk of clot formation and, therefore, thrombotic events.
Furthermore, laboratory experiments with human brain endothelial cells showed that erythritol can cause oxidative stress in these cells, in addition to reducing the production of nitric oxide, a substance essential for keeping blood vessels relaxed and functioning properly.
At the same time, it increased the production of endothelin-1, a molecule that constricts blood vessels, hindering circulation. A reduction in the release of t-PA, a protein that helps dissolve clots, was also observed.
These combined effects indicate a cellular environment more conducive to inflammation, vascular stiffness, and the risk of cerebral ischemia. In other words, even though it's "zero calories," erythritol can negatively impact vascular and neurological health.
Parallel to these findings in adults, new research is investigating the impact of artificial sweeteners on child development, especially puberty. A study presented at the ENDO 2025 congress revealed that the consumption of sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and glycyrrhizin may be linked to cases of precocious puberty in adolescents.
Central precocious puberty, when the body begins to develop earlier than expected, can lead to consequences such as short height, psychological distress, and a higher risk of metabolic disorders later in life.
The study, conducted in Taiwan, analyzed more than 1,400 adolescents and found an association between the consumption of these sweeteners and early activation of the hormonal system, especially in children with a genetic predisposition.
The effects varied between genders: sucralose, for example, showed a greater impact on boys, while glycyrrhizin and added sugars affected girls more.
These effects are attributed, in part, to the ability of sweeteners to alter the intestinal microbiota (the bacteria that live in our intestines) and activate brain mechanisms linked to “sweet taste,” which also influence hormones related to growth.
Some substances also increase molecules linked to cellular stress, interfering with normal hormonal regulation. The study suggests that the combination of a modern diet rich in sweeteners and genetic factors can have significant effects on the development of children and adolescents.
Given these findings, the main message for the public is clear: moderation is essential.
While artificial sweeteners offer apparent benefits, such as calorie reduction and blood sugar control, their excessive use can pose serious health risks, especially in the long term. For adults, the risk of cardiovascular disease cannot be ignored; for children, the impacts on growth and puberty are particularly concerning.
It is important to read labels carefully, avoid excessive daily consumption of "diet" or "zero" products, and remember that natural does not always mean safe, especially in high doses.
Health professionals and public policymakers can benefit from this information when considering new dietary guidelines and prevention strategies. Until more conclusive studies are available, adopting a cautious approach to artificial sweeteners appears to be the best choice to protect the health of adults and children.
READ MORE:
The non-nutritive sweetener erythritol adversely affects brain microvascular endothelial cell function
Auburn R. Berry, Samuel T. Ruzzene, Emily I. Ostrander, Kendra N. Wegerson, Nathalie C. Orozco-Fersiva, Madeleine F. Stone, Whitney B. Valenti, Joao E. Izaias, Joshua P. Holzer, Jared J. Greiner, Vinicius P. Garcia, and Christopher A. DeSouza
Journal of Applied Physiology. 16 JUN 2025
Abstract:
The experimental aim of this study was to determine, in vitro, the effect of the non-nutritive sweetener erythritol on brain microvascular endothelial cell oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET)-1 production, as well as tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release. Human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs) were cultured and treated with 6 mM erythritol, equivalent to a typical amount of erythritol (30 g) in an artificially sweetened beverage, for 3 h. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was significantly higher in hCMECs treated with erythritol (204 ± 32% vs. 105 ± 4%) as well as the expression of antioxidant proteins, superoxide dismutase-1 [332.1 ± 16.2 vs. 214.9 ± 4.7 arbitrary units (AU); P = 0.002] and catalase (30.9 ± 0.3 vs. 24.4 ± 0.9 AU; P = 0.002). Although endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was not significantly altered (102.8 ± 21.4 vs. 99.0 ± 19.9 AU); the expression of p-eNOS (Ser1177) was lower (52.1 ± 2.1 vs. 77.3 ± 9.1 AU; P < 0.001), and p-eNOS (Thr495) was higher (63.4 ± 8.0 vs. 45.6 ± 6.9 AU; P = 0.006) in hCMECs treated with erythritol. Cell expression of Big ET-1 was also higher in erythritol-treated cells (56.4 ± 9.8 vs. 40.9 ± 6.5 AU; P = 0.02). Consequently, the endothelial NO production was significantly lower (5.8 ± 0.8 vs. 7.3 ± 0.7 µmol/L) and ET-1 production was significantly higher (34.6 ± 2.3 vs. 26.9 ± 1.5 pg/mL) in response to erythritol. t-PA release in response to thrombin was significantly blunted in erythritol-treated (from 87.4 ± 6.3 to 87.6 ± 8.3 pg/mL) versus untreated (90.1 ± 5.5 to 110.2 ± 6.4 pg/mL) hCMECs. In summary, erythritol adversely affects oxidative stress, NO production, ET-1 production, and t-PA release in brain microvascular endothelial cells, potentially contributing to the increased risk of ischemic stroke associated with erythritol.
ENDO 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Consuming certain sweeteners may increase risk of early puberty
San Francisco, CA July 13, 2025
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